1Ranma ½ belongs To Rumiko Takahashi, Viz video and others. Any other works belong to their respective people as well. I don't own any of this so just sit back and enjoy the tale, oh and don't sue me please that would be bad.

Note: Where Necessary our Ranma will once again be referred to as Ranko so as to keep confusion to a minimum.

Chapter 12 –Battle Lines

Neptune and Uranus had received a call from Pluto and were now in an abandoned lot looking at destruction in front of them. They examined it and realized that a big fight had happened, but were unsure of the outcome.

"Sailor Sol almost killed someone here."

Uranus and Neptune were surprised and then looked up at Pluto as she continued, "Some martial artist named Ranma Saotome fought her here. I'm not sure of his whereabouts now, but it is quite possible that she killed him."

"Why?" Haruka looked confused and examined the rubble again.

"Perhaps it is part of her plan to destroy crystal Tokyo or to gain the talismans. I do not know, but she is dangerous and I have confirmed that she is traveling with Saturn as well. The two must be stopped at all costs, their power is too great and they threaten the future."

The green haired senshi then looked at her companions and said, "How goes the search for the talismans?"

"Haruka and I are being impeded at each turn. Each time we try to examine a heart crystal their new defender steps in and tries to prevent us from our duty."

"New protector?" Pluto looked confused and then said, "Tell me more."

"I believe his name is Ryouga, he fought with Jupiter against Neptune in our last meeting. He is strong and quite powerful and he wields a laser blade that can reflect our attacks. I believe he would not be a match with either of us one on one, but when he assists Jupiter he is a force to be reckoned with."

"I see. I will speak with the other senshi and inform them of our goals and duties, perhaps they will leash this Ryouga and Jupiter as well."

Haruka said, "Do that, explain to them that if they continue to impede us we will not treat them kindly in our next encounter."

"I'll do that." The green haired senshi disappeared and the others went home.

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Ryouga was being questioned by two cats. He didn't know where they had come from, but after the battle against Eudial they had arrived and asked the girls what had happened and then, he could hardly believe it, but there they were a white and a black cat asking him questions. They wanted to know who he was, what powers he had, and more. It was very disconcerting.

The two cats fired questions in such a rapid fire format that Ryouga was forced to scream, "Quiet" When the cats became quiet he said, "I'm Ryouga Hibiki, I am a Jedi Padawan learner and martial artist. I believe that I am here because the sailor senshi need me to help them defeat evil."

"I told you Venus, he's just like Tuxedo Mask. It's even possible that we are destined from the silver millennium"

"Oh please Next you'll tell me he looks like your old sempai too."

The black cat threw in, "As far as we know there was no one like him in the silver millennium, and certainly no one who had laser swords."

"It's a lightsabre."

"Whatever, it is possible that he represents a threat to us all."

Jupiter groaned, and said, "You say that all the time Luna."

"It's possible that she may be right."

The girls all looked at the new comer with green hair and Usagi said, "I won't believe it. He has helped us out twice now and seems to have a pure heart."

"Always seeing the best in people princess. Very well, keep him on your team, but be wary of telling him too many secrets. Also you should try to leash him just a bit better. Uranus and Neptune have not been happy with his interference"

Ryouga gulped at this, but said, "I can't allow innocents to suffer for their cause."

"Sacrifices must be made for the greater good."

"I don't believe that and I don't think any of the girls here do either." Usagi and the rest nodded at this statement.

"You are only creating a conflict that need not occur."

"If you and the others continue to act in the way of the Sith I do not see how we can avoid this conflict."

Setsuna just eyed him and said, "Very well, do as you like. I am here for another reason as well."

The green haired girl then shook out her tresses and gazed at all assembled with seriousness and said, "I also came to tell you all about a more serious threat. Sailor Saturn is awake before her time and has joined forces with a girl calling herself Sailor Sol."

"There was no Sailor Sol in the silver millennium." The two cats looked at each other and Usagi said, "Jinx."

Pluto shook her head and continued saying, "Saturn has the power to destroy the world and together with Sol they have already succeeded in disrupting the time stream; causing Chibi-Usa to be lost in time. If we do not stop them soon she will be lost forever and Crystal Tokyo will not exist. We must kill them both"

Usagi said, "We can not just kill them. There must be a way to bring back crystal Tokyo without killing them."

"It is what is necessary."

The group watched as Pluto disappeared and Ryouga said, "Stop wait, Sailor Sol isn't evil. You can't just kill her. You can't" Then he looked at the other scouts and said, "You won't let them just kill her will you?"

Sailor Moon approached Ryouga and said, "No, we aren't like that. No matter what we will try to help those in need and we aren't assassins. I don't believe that anyone needs to be sacrificed to save the world."

"Thank you Sailor Moon. I couldn't bear it if I found out that I had been helping the wrong side."

Jupiter then approached Sailor Moon and the two had a hushed conversation. Then they approached the other girls and the conversation continued in quiet tones until Jupiter left the group and approached Ryouga saying, "Let me escort you home Ryouga there's a lot we should discuss."

Ryouga took her to his room at the Inn and Jupiter detransformed. Ryouga acted surprise and said, "Mako-Chan?"

She smiled at him and started telling him about herself and the sailor scouts.

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In the living room of the Tendo home Ranma was sleeping in his female from and snoring away. Beryl opened her eyes and checked to make sure that Ranma was sleeping. Confident that he was she approached Hotaru and shook her awake saying in a hushed voice, "Mistress 9?"

No response seemed to be forthcoming from Hotaru until her eyes opened and glowed a light purple. A shallow voice came out that said, "Who are you that knows my name?"

"I am Beryl, a servant of Metallia and I am looking for assistance in defeating the hated senshi."

"I can help you with that when I control this form completely. You are currently trying to find two of the death busters if you were to defeat any of them and get their heart crystal you could give it to me. Such an item will revive me and I will be able to help you destroy the senshi once and for all."

Beryl smiled at this thought and said, "I will see what I can do."

Hotaru's form smiled and said, "You will be well rewarded for your assistance Beryl." Then her eyes stopped glowing and closed. Hotaru was once again in a deep slumber.

Morning in the Tendo apartment saw Ranma and his three friends up and about. Ranma went out and bought some extra food and then helped Mrs. Tendo prepare it all for everyone in the house. Akane and Nabiki left for school and Kasumi woke up later ate a few bites and headed off to Tofu's office. It was as if a shadow was lifting from their lives, but Ranma was still concerned.

He looked at his two friends and said, "We need ta go over to the Tomoe household and scout it out. We'll see what they are up to and make plans on how to stop them. How does that sound?"

"Quite a good Plan Ranko, my generals in the silver millennium would be proud to have you among their number."

The girl blushed and said, "Thanks Beryl, I appreciate the compliment. Do either of you have any ideas?"

"I would very much like to find out where my generals are and perhaps see if we can recruit them in our endeavors. Perhaps we can seek out the Sailor Senshi and ask what happened to them?"

Ranma gritted her teeth and said, "Yeah we can do that if we meet up with any of the sailor girls. How about you Hotaru? Any ideas?"

"I do not know, but I have a feeling that we should be very careful when approaching my house. The evil witch is there as well as my father who she corrupted. Not to mention those Daimon creatures that were summoned last time. In all actuality I think perhaps it would be best if we were to avoid that house for now?"

"Hmm, I'd like ta do that, but how will we get any information?"

"Ranma-San, Nabiki Tendo was well informed, perhaps she can help us out in this endeavor?"

"Good thinkin Hotaru, we'll go talk to Nabiki at lunch and see what ideas she has. Aww, but then we won't be able to go talk to the Senshi at lunch either."

"It may be best if we were to split up. As the person who needs to rest the most it would seem best if Hotaru expended less energy and went to speak with Nabiki, while Ranko and I could go speak with the senshi?"

"Alright it's a plan." Ranma stood up and then realized it was much too early to leave yet and sat down. Then she said, "So uhm, you guys want to train a bit while we wait?"

The three went down to the abandoned lot and Ranma thought about some lessons. She transformed herself into male form and educated Hotaru in some simple Tai Chi exercises that would not tire her out. Then after that Ranma said, "Beryl before I can train ya I need to see what level you're at. So let's spar a bit okay?"

The greyish pink haired girl said, "Alright, but no transformations okay?"

Ranma nodded and the fight started. Beryl came at him and swung a number of punches at different areas of Ranma's body. He evaded them all easily and just smiled at her. She upped her level and started adding in kicks to her repertoire, when suddenly a kick was blocked and she was thrown to the ground. Ranma looked at her and said, "Way too much of an opening there Beryl, keep your guard closed and be wary for counters when you make that kick. Try it again.

Beryl tried again and this time Ranma just evaded the kick. Beryl kept coming at Ranma with different attacks, but it was like trying to fight against the wind. Then, Ranma said, "Alright, now we start closing some more of those openings okay?"

Beryl nodded and started to attack again. This time Ranma would tap her arms, legs, and torso in different areas saying, "Opening" each time he tapped her. Beryl tried again and again to close openings, but it seemed like every opening she closed would result in three others. She kept at it until Ranma said, "Alright enough." Sweat was streaming from her body, she was panting and felt like a used rag.

Ranma just smiled at her and said, "Not bad, you're probably a match for Akane and you might do okay against Kunou. That's still a lot of work though so starting tomorrow we're going to work on your speed I know a trick that can help that, but I need to figure out how to teach it to ya without using a fire. I'm thinking maybe fish catching though."

Out of breath Beryl just panted and nodded. Ranma walked over to Hotaru and saw that even the little exercise he had given her had tired her out as much as Beryl was. He said, "That's pretty good Hotaru, but you're starting to run out of breath. Why don't you rest for awhile okay. I'll get some grub."

Hotaru nodded and sat down next to Beryl while Ranma walked off to get an early lunch "Isn't Ranma-San the best?"

"He looks like it to me. Cute too, are you his girlfriend?"

"I don't know, we saved each other at my house and then he's been looking out for me ever since. I feel like I know so much about him and there seems to be a connection between us."

"That didn't really answer the question. He's cute and strong in both forms and just filled with energy. If you don't claim him maybe I will." Beryl smiled at Hotaru and continued on in a silky voice saying, "Or we could share him? Would you like that Hotaru? We could press our bodies together against him and touch him together." Beryl's hand slithered onto Hotaru's back. "Just think darling, we could have softness or hardness al at the same time, we could twine together in the sheets with lust consuming us."

"Stop it." Pleaded Hotaru with a flushed look.

The hand stopped roaming and a husky voice said, "Very well little sister I will do as you wish, but do come to me if you change your mind."

Hotaru was going to continue speaking when she was thrown from her position by a strong blow. She went hurtling into a wall and lost consciousness. Beryl sized up the creature that had attacked Hotaru and was surprised because it was a large Panda. She almost lost the battle because of that surprise, but somehow she was able to avoid a paw swipe from the creature. Beryl had to continue on the defensive against the large creature, but even that was not enough.

The Panda was hitting her again and again even as she tried to close gaps in her defenses. In fact this battle was reminding Beryl her of training earlier with Ranma and she knew that if she didn't do something quickly she would lose.

So, when the Panda struck Beryl again she took the hit and fell down feigning unconsciousness. The panda then walked towards her and when it got close enough she blasted it with dark energy, sending the creature flying into a wall. Then she continued her assault hitting it again and again with magical energies. The creature was injured and reeling, but not out of the combat. It raised its paws and shot a blade of vacuum at Beryl which she was forced to dodge. When she looked back at where the creature had been it was gone.

She desperately searched the lot for any sign of the creature, but none was to be found. Then she was sent reeling as the Panda appeared behind her and hit her with a maneuver that sent dark energy and magic exploding out of her back.

She turned towards the creature and tried to fire another blast, but missed as it leaped into the air. She tried to get a bead on it again, but it was too quick. At that point Beryl decided that her energy level were too low to be blasting away at a target she could not hit. So she ran towards the creature and tried hitting it again. This time she was having an easier time with the fight, but still more of the creatures attacks were getting through her defenses and it was beginning to weigh heavily upon her. That was when she thought about fleeing the scene. She ran out of the lot and turned a corner.

She noticed that she wasn't being pursued and remembered Hotaru. She stopped running and thought to herself. Here was an opportunity to save herself from harm and all that would be expended was her allies life. Isn't that what she had always done, used her allies and servants for her own purposes. Why should Hotaru be any different? As she thought these thoughts an image appeared in her mind it was Hotaru looking at her with trust and smiling as she trusted Beryl's lies and said, "Now I think I remember you Beryl-San and I hope you'll help us in our quest."

Beryl turned and ran back towards the abandoned lot. When she arrived she saw the Panda taking a crystal jewel from Hotaru's chest. She screamed in outrage and felt a henshin rod in her hands. She remembered that Wiseman had given this rod to her when she had taken over this body. Was it possible that it worked? She raised the rod up and said the first words that came to her mind, "Moon prism power makeup."

Beryl felt the words come from her mouth and practically threw up as the transformation occurred. Her body spun around and her black dress was replaced by a white and pink sailor suit. Complete with elbow length white gloves and a pink bow. She had a golden tiara placed on her head and a short white and pink skirt that barely covered anything. The transformation finished and Beryl stared down at her transformed self. Looking at what she had become; she screamed and screamed.

Genma Saotome was in the process of taking a heart crystal from the girls who had helped defeat his son in combat. He knew the worthless boy had obviously not been training enough when Genma came and found the girl and then defeated her and her companion. He humphed in anger and determined to train the boy some more when he got home. Taking the heart crystal in his hand he stood up and started to walk away when a piercing shriek assaulted his ears.

Looking at the source of the sound he saw one of the sailor girls and sighed. It seemed like their days of secretly collecting heart crystals was over. "Then again" he thought. "If she dies who will be the wiser." Then Genma put his paws in the air and fired a "Kinjin Rashu Dan" at the girl.

Beryl was hit by three or four vacuum blades which seemed to just dissipate off of her when she finally ceased her screaming. Then she looked up and saw the Panda readying another attack. She stood and waited for it and was hit once again by the vacuum blade. It dissipated on her again with little harm and then she smiled. Feeling the energy of her transformation Beryl went on the offensive.

She threw her Tiara at the Panda and cringed as she said, "Moon Tiara Action". Still it seemed to work and the Panda was knocked to the ground. She approached it quickly and took Hotaru's heart crystal from its paws and returned it to its rightful owner. The Beryl threw out more tiara actions, prism powers, and even some spiral heart attacks cringing each time she used the attack phrases and thinking that there must be a way to change them.

Still, beryl's new offensive seemed to be working against the Panda until it started to glow with dark power. Then instead of firing vacuum blades at her it started returning fire with beams of dark energy which sapped her strength. Even so in her transformed state Beryl felt almost invincible and carried on her offensive. She tried again and again to blast the Panda with her new magical attacks; not realizing how much energy she was expending by doing so.

The Panda continued to avoid her attacks and fire its own energy blasts back, but she pressed on until the creature once again disappeared. She grimaced in anger at this tactic and turned in multiple directions to avoid the incoming attack. It was of no use though, because once again the Panda appeared behind her and hit her back, sending magical energy exploding outwards from her.

Beryl screamed at this and fell to the ground in exhaustion. She had used her magic without spare when firing it at the Panda and the blasts from the panda expended it even more until, now with this final maneuver the Panda had exhausted all of her physical and magical reserves entirely. She cursed herself for her foolishness and tried to stand up. It was no use as the panda swatted her into a wall and then slowly walked towards her expended form with murder in its eyes. The Panda raised it's arms and a ray of dark energy shot towards Beryl.

Beryl sighed and resigned herself to this fate when the energy was blocked by a wall of force. She looked to her side and saw Hotaru in her sailor guise holding up her glaive and shielding her with a silence wall. She looked up at the girl and smiled remembering that she herself had seen a similar scene when Ranko had fought against Ranma. "You're a handy girl to have around when some one is about to die Saturn."

"Thanks, now what should we do."

Beryl tried to stand up and barely made it to her feet. She wheezed and looked at the evil panda that was trying to attack them." I don't suppose you have any attacks?"

"I do, but it's too powerful."

"Too powerful?"

"Yes, it would destroy a great deal of things, possibly even innocent people."

The panda continued his assault and Beryl said, "What if I were to get him in the air? Could you blast him then?"

"What if I hit you Beryl-San?"

The pink haired lady smiled at her friend and said, "Just do your best not to hit me okay?"

The younger girl looked sad and said, "I'll try."

"Good. Now drop your wall." Hotaru dropped the silence wall and Beryl used some regained her energy to leap into the air and on top of a near by building. The panda followed her into the air and beryl turned and blasted it with a spiral heart attack, sending the creature flying into the air. The she said, "Now"and collapsed into unconsciousness. The panda just smiled as it was sent into the air. His claws were outstretched and he made ready to eviscerate Beryl upon his landing.

Hotaru, however was ready with the silence glaive and said, "Silence glaive surprise." The silence came and encompassed the area, nothing could be heard as the wave of energy went high into the air and erased the panda from existence. The energy continued on high into the atmosphere and then petered out allowing sound to once more enter the world.

Neptune and Uranus were searching Nerima for some sign of Saturn or Sol. They knew that the girls had fought something in the area they were hoping to see them again. Luck was on their side as everything went silent for a moment and a wave of energy shot into the sky. It was an easy beacon to follow and they started towards the empty Lot where they saw Saturn on top of a building next to another young girl trying to wake her up.

Beryl's eyes opened and she saw Saturn kneeling down next to her touching her with glowing hands. She felt energy coming back into her and her injuries were being healed. It was this healing which allowed beryl to raise her head and see the two sailor girls running towards them.

"Shield" She screamed and Saturn was just able to raise her glaive as the twin blasts came towards them. The two blasts dissipated completely against the Shield and Hotaru grimaced with effort as she tried to hold her glaive steady.

Uranus and Neptune fired at Saturn again and again and the Silence Shield slowly began to get smaller and smaller under their onslaught. "I don't suppose you have any other ideas Beryl-San?"

"Ranma"

"As long as it is our Ranma his entry at this juncture would be greatly helpful."

Beryl just pointed as Ranma came running closer towards the two sailor girls in his own transformed state. She turned towards Uranus and fired off a new attack shouting, "Solar Rashu Dan!" This was not a vacuum blade, but instead a stream of superheated plasma with an edge. Uranus put her hands up to block the energy, but it did nothing as the plasma spread over her form burning away her costume and starting in on her flesh. The only thing that saved her from certain incineration was her own Deep Submerge which was finally able to put out the flames.

While Uranus was busy with the improved plasma attack Sailor Sol was laying into Neptune with her advanced chest nut fist and sent her flying with stream of supersonic punches.

When Neptune crashed into the wall Sol quickly dashed towards her two friends, picked them both up and fled the scene with two pissed off sailor girls hot on her heels. She was running and dodging when her mind became that of Taya and she knew what to do. It was so simple that she was forced to laugh for a moment before she turned towards her pursuers shouting, "Solar storm" This was followed immediately by " Solar Teleport" Then a storm of fire washed over the two pursuing Senshi and when it was over Sailor Sol was nowhere to be seen.

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A day later in the Tomoe household Ranma Saotome was watching a video of his father fighting against beryl and Saturn. Eudial was half dressed and sitting next to him. His hand was roaming on her body and she was smiling an evil smile as she said, "Oh this part is the best look at the stupid Panda. He leaps into the air and gets blasted by the pink haired girl. Then comes the real good part, wait for it."

The video went entirely silent as a wave of energy rose from Saturn's glaive. The energy washed over the Panda and nothing was left. Eudial broke into maniacal laughter at that point. Ranma laughed with her and said, "Serves the idiot right. I told pops not to underestimate those girls."

Eudial reached the scene of Genma's destruction and her hands started to roam all over Ranma who returned the favor. The two were starting to get quite frisky when a voice said, "Enough, you two. Master Pharaoh 90 needs us to perform a task."

"Yeah, yeah Doc I know. Get heart crystals so you can create more Daimons to serve you. Heard it before, will do."

"No, Ranma since your operation has been found out the master has decided that you will assist Eudial in her search for the talismans."

"Ah come on. I was hopin' I could work alone. What about Villuy, Cyprine and Pitliol?"

"They will be performing the task of collecting heart crystals to help us create more Daimons."

A hand roamed over Ranma's body. "Besides, there are a number of bonuses to working with me Ranma."

"Fine I'll do it."

"Oh and Ranma do try to avoid destroying the entire city. We can't have another incident like the one in China."

"Ah come on Doc. It's not my fault that Mimete was destroyed. I tole her she didn't have the skill to take on that amazon crone, but she just didn't listen. So me, pops, and Tellu were forced to take vengeance on the entire village. Heck Tellu'd still be around if it weren't for that stupid blind dude who got in a lucky shot."

Eudial smiled at Ranma and said, "What an interesting time you must have had. I do think I want to go on your next training trip Ranma. They sound like such fun."

He smiled at her and said, "You aint heard the half of it. Pops and I started that trip when I was just a boy. Just after he trained me with the technique that connected us both to Pharaoh 90. That was when the real fun began. He taught me the Saotome school's most powerful techniques and then we pretty much had the world on our platter. We ran into Tellu and Mimete just before we headed out to China and they joined in with us. If only Pops hadn't decided to stop at those cursed springs to see if they could heighten our powers we wouldn't be cursed, but then again" He poured water over himself and transformed into a girl and rubbed against Eudial "It does have its advantages."

Eudial felt the svelte Red haired girl against her and smiled some more. The girl then continued on saying, "Come on then I'll train you some as we go collect these Talismans. We can work on this new technique I'm thinkin' of for using the dark energy to create a Daimon that'll act as body armor. First though I think we have some business to attend to in your room." She grabbed a thermos of hot water and led Eudial up the stairs.

"Try not to take too much time off the master is on a time table you know!" Souichi yelled up at them, but it was of no use.